Could My Parvovirus Positive Puppy Have Been Saved?
Just got the dog Saturday he had 2 sets of shots was due for last in 3 weeks. He was very alert and active but barely ate or drank much Saturday or Sunday, which we thought was because he came frome a breeder down South to us up North (this was a long plane ride for an 11 week old puppy). On Monday he was really tired and had 2 loose stools and I took him to the vet in the evening. I asked if the dog could possibly have had parvo and he said no probably just worms. He tried a rectal stool test but not enough to run the test. Tuesday puppy still lethargic and had gel-like stool, took sample to vet came back parvo. Immediately took puppy to hospital started on iv fluids and the said could only treat the symptoms. In hospital puppy began vomiting same day (Tuesday)& extremely lethargic. Wednesday white cell count dropping and albumin level low. Puppy had a transfusion Wed evening and looked a little better. They kept trying to feed puppy even though he would vomit and still had loose stools. Thursday morning puppy seemed better-kept some food down. I asked vet about Tamiflu and she said we could try but not enough studies to support its use. By afternoon puppy took a turn for worse, having bloody stool and white blood cell count bottoming out. I asked about Neupogen she again said not enough studies to prove effectiveness. Puppy so weak he was lying in his own bloody poo which everyone knows a dog won’t do. He was suffering so much so we had him put to sleep. Of course now I am still questioning did we do everything right? Does anyone know of something we overlooked? I think I brought up some things to these 2 vets they weren’t looking at but I am at such an emotional loss right now. Not like it matters but between the vet visit,testing and the slightly over 2 days hospitalization and euthanization this has been approx. $4000 out of pocket. We became so attatched to him after only having him in our house for 3 days (I’m crying as I write this). Again,could anything else have been done? I want to be armed with info if I or anyone has to go through this…THANKS!
Tagged with: Been • Could • Have • Parvovirus • Positive • Puppy • Saved
Filed under: Dog Worms Symptoms
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I’m so very sorry you lost your puppy.
You did everything you could dog for the poor little mite.
I would be having a serious discussion with the breeder of this puppy. He must have been exposed to the parvovirus before he came to you.
Did the breeder give you the paperwork proving that he had been vaccinated by a vet twice? I hope she is a registered breeder and the pup was purchased with a contract of sale.
With my dog who had cancer I had to fight the oncologist to try medications she said had not been thoroughly tested. I did have a couple of wins when I produced documentation of testing done overseas. I guess vets take the conservative route due to the legal ramifications.
I hope you will have a satisfactory result from your pup’s breeder. She has some explaining to do. Nothing of course will ease your emotional distress but you may save others from suffering the same fate with pups from this breeder. Clearly she has parvo on her premises.
Again I am so very sorry you lost your little pup.
You definitely did the right thing. He was obviously in pain, and couldn’t ask for a better treatment. I’m sorry that you had to go through all the pain.. your story makes me want to cry.
You did all you could and I feel for you.
If this puppy was ill almost as soon as he arrived, then you should have a come back on the breeder, as he would have contacted this disease before he left home. Did he come from a reputable breeder who you met before purchasing the puppy?
No reputable breeder would sell a puppy to someone miles away they did not know so I just wonder.
Certainly the breeder should be informed even though it cannot now change your situation, but your puppy’s littermates will most likely also have parvo.
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Parvo is a tough thing for any dog to beat, but almost impossible for a puppy. =(
I know you suggested ideas to the vets, but please take heart in knowing that they did everything they could to save your little buddy. There are lots of studies on the internet that people swear have worked, but in reality ( and as the vet’s said) there just isn’t enough evidence to support the treatment, and trying it could have been worse for your pup. I am sure that those who treated him did their very best. And you did the right thing by taking him to the vet. So many people who post to this site can’t be bothered to take their dog to the vet, and that is truly sad. You did everything right. Please take heart in knowing that.
When you feel ready, you really need to contact the breeder and let them know what happened. If the pup came to you already infected, then there is a chance others from the litter are affected as well. They need to know so as to properly take care of their property and plan breedings accordingly. Parvo can happen, but good breeders will absolutely want to know about this. And if the dog was sick when you got him, they should at the very least refund the cost of the dog.
Lots of love and hugs to you. I can’t imagine how sad this is for you.
i cant really give you an answer but just wanted to let you know that you did all the things i would have done and i am so so sorry for the sad outcome.
At least your puppy had a happy few days and at least you did the right thing and putting him out of his missery when you did.
Hope you fiond another four legged friend soon but never forget the little fella you just lost. Think about him when you are on long walks and he might even join you.
Take care x
I am so very very sorry that you have had to go through this, and there is absolutely nothing more that you could of done, other than not get a puppy in that way.
I know we get quite angry on here about unethical breeders but with stories like this then you can see why. It touches the lives of everybody involved other than the callous breeder who thinks only of money.
I do sincerely hope that next time you will buy from an ethical breeder who just would never have parvo in her camp. Parvo comes from people breeding litter after litter in squalid conditions (puppy mills). A really good breeder would not of sent a pup the length of the country at that age. She would of kept the puppy there until all vaccinations were in place. She would also not have sent a pup to someone she had never met unless it was someone known to her for ages or through a third party that she could trust.
I hope maybe you will join the fight to get these awful places closed down and stop so many puppies suffering, and older dogs coming into rescue.
My heart goes out to you, and I would be crying writing all that down of what you have had to endure over the last few days.
We had a puppy get it and survive it.
But I doubt there was much you could have done in just a few days.
It wasn’t your fault, if anything it was the breeders fault.
Puppies under 4mos (i think) aren’t allowed in many public places where other animals will be for this reason. Most dogs under 4 months haven’t had all their shots and are prone to get sick. Although some people will say they had their dog going out and stuff before it had all it’s shots and their dog didn’t get sick many people
I’m so sorry to hear that you had to go through that, and hope you don’t go through it again.
Best advice is to avoid buying from breeders without being able to meet the puppy first. Or breeders that will put the dog on a flight knowing he wasn’t fully protected against illness.
Aww your poor puppy
So sorry for your loss 
Generally puppies should have all their shots first before they travel anywhere, especially in the public gathering place of an airport. For future reference, before sending your puppy on a plane, make sure all the shots and everything are given before it travels places. Even if you plan on taking it for a walk or anything, make sure the puppy has all its shots first.
I actually get scared when thinking about putting an animal on the plane. My mom works for an airlines and said one of the workers sent the dog in the plane next to a box of dry ice. The dry ice took up all the oxygen, and when she opened the belly of the plane to unload the baggage, the poor puppy had died.
Oh my goodness, that is so sad. Lying down on his own bloody poo. Tears are in my eyes, what if that happened to my new puppy. I’m truly sorry, my condolenses go to you.
Who knows what could’ve happened. Maybe he should’ve gone to sleep. I wish he hadn’t though, but so much pain was in him, probably the only way to save him was to put him to sleep. It was the best thing to do. It’s very sad, but just to think, why would you let your own beloved puppy suffer through that kind of pain. I think it was best to put him to sleep.
Poor little guy. I wish something could’ve saved him. I really wish parvo would just disappear, making all puppies, dogs, and all animals safe.
Even though it was 3 days, those 3 days could’ve meant the whole world to you. His time with you should be treasured. NEVER listen to people that say ” It was only a animal ” or ” Chill, 3 days ain’t enough to cut it ” Those could’ve been the best days of your life.
Remember to have a time by yourself. Think about him. How those 3 days were those days to remember. Remember all the times you’ve guys been through. Not the bad times ( Like when he had Parvovirus ) Keep him in your heart and never forget.
My Condolenses go to you. I really wish that something could’ve saved him. Truly sorry.